Vector Databases for RAG: Deployment-Shape, License, Hybrid-Search and Pricing Comparison 2026

A structured comparison of 11 vector databases for retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) across five dimensions: deployment shape, open-source license, native hybrid search, metadata filtering, and pricing model. Compiled vendor-neutral with conflict disclosure; each cell read from the vendor's own repository, documentation, or pricing page. The thesis: hybrid search and filtering are now table-stakes, so the deciding axis is deployment shape and data gravity, not benchmark. Methodology and full sourcing at https://nesyona.com/research/vector-db-rag-comparison-2026/ . License CC-BY 4.0.